“Unacceptable”: ICE Officer relieved of Duties After Videos Show Him Shoving Woman to the Ground
NEW YORK - An Immigration and customs Enforcement (ICE) officer has been relieved of duties following the release of video footage showing him shoving a woman to the floor during an altercation outside a federal courthouse in New York City. The incident, captured by photojournalists and federal officials, has sparked outrage from advocates and Democratic leaders who condemn the officer’s actions as excessive and unjustified.
The confrontation occurred as the woman, identified as being from Ecuador, was near the courthouse where ICE officers have been increasingly deployed under the second Trump administration to arrest individuals attending immigration hearings. This practice,intended to expedite deportations,has been widely criticized for undermining due process and discouraging participation in the legal immigration process.
Videos of the incident show the officer shoving the woman in front of her children and a crowd of onlookers. During the altercation, the officer repeatedly said “adios” – Spanish for goodbye – to the woman. She was later taken to a hospital for treatment, according to New York City comptroller Brad Lander, a vocal critic of the courthouse arrests.
“We can disagree on immigration policy, but you can’t watch that video and think that that’s how you want United States law enforcement officials treating human beings,” Lander told CBS News New York.
A former ICE official, speaking anonymously, stated there was “absolutely none” justification for the officer’s use of force. “He clearly lost his cool. Unless you claim self-defense or defense of others, [there’s] no way that use of force is justified,” the official said. “That’s assault.” The former official recommended the incident be reported to ICE’s Office of Professional Obligation, which investigates allegations of employee misconduct.
ICE has not released the officer’s name but confirmed he has been relieved of duties pending an examination. The incident adds to growing concerns about the tactics employed by ICE and the impact of increased enforcement at immigration courts.
